Zanze's Cheesecake
- Hours:
Wed-Fri 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sat 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
230 reviews
Neighborhood: Cole Valley
"Sorry, Gil, but I love this place. It's got your San Francisco-crepery essentials: chalkboard menus, savory and sweet crepes, woodsy…" read more »
176 Reviews for Zanze's Cheesecake
ok, i hate that i have to put only 3 stars for cheesecake that everyone absolutely adores...but it just wasn't the texture that i normally like. It was definitely good quality and I can see how people love the creamy texture of it, but I tend to like the style of cheesecake that has a nice thick crust and a denser filling. I drove really far to get this (haha kinda), so i was a little disappointed that it wasn't the style of cheesecake that I normally like. I would go back to this place only because I can tell the owner put a lot of love in his cheesecakes. It's such a hole in the wall looking place...with a baker/owner that looks like he takes so much pride in his cheesecakes...i love that. Maybe I should try their pumpkin or their chocolate cheesecake...i want to love their cheesecake so much, but the first time just didn't do it for me.
I think I'm going to be one of those people who doesn't get the fuss over this place. I used to be a huge cream cheese cheesecake dude, but ever since I tried the ricotta version, cream cheese and I have been seeing other people.
The service is really good and they are really passionate about what they do, but I feel like something is missing. I need more from my cheesecake relationship than this.
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Back again, this time for his chocolate cheesecake. The cake itself doesn't quite taste "chocolatey" as you'd expect but it's topped with a ton of shaved chocolate. The traditional cheesecake is still the best, he has a seasonal pumpkin cake in addition to his regular selection of sour cherry, traditional, choc and blueberry. Since Sam Zanze can't write "Happy Birthday" on top of the cakes, he can apply an edible, soft, sugary plaque which has "HB" on top. It was quite busy when I arrived after work to pick-up my pre-ordered cake. He had 4 others in the store waiting to make a purchase. One lady was purchasing 6 of the small cakes and told Sam she had heard the cakes were really good. That's the problem with yelping about these little gems, it's good for the business owner but not so great for the regulars who now encounter lines.
Sam's uncle died in June this yr, age 92. He used to come help fold the cake boxes. With a good gene pool like that, I wish the same longevity for Mr. Zanze, so he can keep this wonderful business of his going for a long, long time.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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07/02/2008
Sam Zanze should be declared a national treasure. He's got that ageless look from year to year,… Read more »
I won't even begin to describe the day my three friends and I went through just to get us some of Mr. Zanze's cheesecake. I will say our adventure involved some tears, some blood, and at the end of it all...a melted cheesecake. Now if you asked me, would I do it all over again? I'd have a moment to silently ponder and then say YES!
I am not a huge fan of cheesecake (I find too heavy at times) but I was absolutely blown away by the cheesecake at Zanze's. It is amazingly light and airy...even ethereal (I'm not sure if you can use that word to describe food?). Not too heavy on the sugar either.
I love the fact that is a family-run establishment serving an age-old family recipe. Zanze's is a well-deserved five stars!
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Zanze's cheesecake in SF! It's a very fluffy cake, very rich and tres bon!! It's a tiny shop with a nice old man at the counter and all he makes is cheesecake... Mr. Zanze was telling us how his shop is so popular now that he felt like a rockstar. =) He works 4 days a week and closes shop each year from July 1st - August 22nd. Mrs.Zanze took vacation first and is now in Philly waiting for him.
It's just great he loves creating yummy cakes and that we're fortunate enough to try it here in SF. =)
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Someone here said it well, Zanze's Cheesecake does not need another 5 star review but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't give 5 stars to Mr. Zanze.
Here's how it went down:
We reserved a cheesecake after reading about this shop with very very high expectations. Come Saturday, we drive up from the Peninsula with big smiles on our faces, wondering if all the fairy talesque stories were true. We see the store -how cute and bright it seems- and we park. We go in to find another costumer at the counter and a very cute 87 year old lady seating on a chair chatting the other lady up. It is a very small place but it doesn't feel crowded somehow it is just inviting and cozy.
Out comes Mr. Zanze carefully holding the cheesecake of the lady in front of us. He looks adorable! Like he should be sitting down, surrounded by small children while telling them stories with some large, old book sprinkled with sparkling fairy dust! He says hi right away and proceeds to box her cheesecake. The old lady is telling us how Mr. Zanze is a great dancer, and how dancing has kept her young -all this while doing a little happy feet motion while on her chair-. Mr. Zanze then proceeds to tell this lady to remember to eat her veggies before digging into her cheesecake as she happily takes off.
Our turn since the kind old lady seems more interested in chatting than picking up her cake. Our first time there so he proceeds to explain all the details: how to use the fishing line, how long it'll keep for, how long it keeps if you freeze it, etc. At the end, we're also reminded to eat our veggies. He manages to say this with such warmth you feel obligated to comply (and you know you wouldn't be able to dig into that cheesecake with a good feeling unless you follow his instructions!).
I carefully guard this piece of heaven while we drive back home. While sporadically muttering some words to remind the bf to drive carefully, we do have a cheesecake on board! We get home, eat something healthy, and finally, it is cheesecake time.... It is so fluffy the fishing line is a must (I just made myself hungry *tear*), lift it carefully with a knife which is about the width of the pieces you cut and it'll come out no problem.
Finally, take a bite, *O-M-G*, *melts*. How does he do it, my cheeks were tingling, I couldn't hold back a smile and a moan of pure joy. It is so airy and fluffy and flavorful but still you feel so satisfied after one slice. It has kept me happy since Saturday and I am sure it won't last too long so I am glad we got a large one.
When you go to Mr. Zanze's be respectful and polite, respect this place that has made so many people happy because after you visit him once, you won't be able to stop finding excuses to buy more cheesecake!
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This place has been in business since 1979. It's only open 4 days a week (Wed-Sat).
Sam and Joyce Zanze are the owners. Joyce was a teacher at CCSF.
I believe that Sam's 75th birthday is this year, I just don't know the exact date. Happy bday Mr. Zanze!
(My apologies for divulging your age, in case I wasn't supposed to)
This is a European-style cheesecake (delicate and light in texture), unlike the dense New York-style cheesecake that most people are familiar with. It has graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Always a good choice to celebrate special occasions.
When they go on vacation, the store is closed. So Sam makes extra cheesecakes, available in the frozen section of Molly Stone's at 635 Portola Drive.
Sam is super duper nice. Always takes the time to explain how to use the fishing line string (included, taped to box) to all newbies, in order to cut the delicate cheesecake.
The cheesecake is available in small (6"), medium (8") and large (10").
Traditional cheesecake: $13, $20, $26.
Blueberry, chocolate, mocha, raspberry: $14, $22, $28.
Sour cherries with Kirsch: $16, $24, $30.
A pumpkin flavor is available during the holidays.
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Tried chocolate and traditional (again), and oh man. They were good.
Next week, raspberry.
You won't regret for making all the way to Zanze's. It's worth it.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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09/13/2008
Boy, was this the best cheese cake I've had in America ever.
They know how to make the cheese cake… Read more »
People rave about this place.
It's airy, fluffy and super soft....good? Yeah....but I just can't help but think that it comes off as "HEALTHY". Cheesecake is NOT supposed to taste healthy. Where is the RICH, CHUNKY, heart attack feeling?
Don't get me wrong....it's good.........but I like the richer, "Oh man my butt is going to double in size" stuff.
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Been here a few years ago and still remember how magnificient the cheesecakes are. Heck, I'm writing this review base on my experience 3 years ago! It's like food of the gods. Only drawback is the hours of operation which seem to alway conflict with mine. However, it doesn't matter since I would go out of my way to get it.
I'm on vacation for the next 2 weeks and for sure I'll be dropping by for some cheesecake and rubbing in to my friends at work! Mwahahaha
Current ranking favorite
Original
Blueberry
Raspberry
Chocolate
Mocha - Can't remember
Pumpkin - Have not try it.
You won't regret trying it!
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I never knew that cheesecakes could be so light and fluffy!
Mr. Zanze is super nice and you can tell all the effort he puts into these delightful cheesecakes and his shop. He'll even ask if you have ever tried his masterpieces before... if not, he'll recommend the original vs. the other flavors.
The cheesecakes do freeze well, too. I was kind of hesitant to buy a whole cheesecake and it eat myself.
I'm not sure if the store is open on weekends, there were so many times that I passed by and the store was closed. Worth making a trip to if you are in the area on a weekday. =P
No seating inside, so make sure you have a fork ready in the car if you cant wait to get home.
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Hands down the best cheesecake in the city. Also a plus because it's literally right next to where I live! :) Zanze's gets so much business that it can afford taking summer vacations; it was closed for a month this summer. It's also opened only on certain days, and it has a waiting list around the holidays so better get in line quick.
The cake is so light and fluffy that it requires a fishing line to cut it - come on, how tight is that. The crust isn't too hard or anything, it's flakey in a really good way. My cousin saved one for me from his birthday and it tastes just as good as ever.
My wife absolutely loves their cheesecake. I am not much of a sweets person but have to agree that they make the best cheesecake I've ever had. My only complaint is their store hours. It's not very convenient but I don't have the heart to take off a star. That's how good their cheesecakes are!!!
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I used to work right down the street from Zanze's, and they would bring a cake each birthday... man I miss working... Hands down the best cheese cake I have ever had. It is so light and fluffly and magical. You cut the damn thing with a string. A STRING! Ok, a fishing line, but still, you cut the damn thing in a not so conventional way. Fresh fruit toppings... friendly service... you don't feel like a total fat ass after eating a slice... or a whole cake.
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I love their cheesecake . It's very light and yummy . I really like it's texture . It's more like a mousse . The old man that greeted me was pretty friendly . He asked if it was my first time there and he recommended me the traditional cheesecake . He taught me how to cut the cake with a fishing line. (which I didn't .. I got pissed off because I couldn't separate the pieces so I used a knife in the end) He also told me to make sure I eat it after dinner and not to eat it all by myself .
Does Zanze need another 5 star rating?
no.
Am I writing one any-the-hell-way?
yes.
Why?
because they are that good.
If you like you like your cheesecake fluffy as a cream-cheese cloud,
this is as good as you are going to get without having to sell your soul.
And unlike deals with the devil, this one will only cost you about 25 bucks
and a few extra pounds.
Which you'll loose the next week from exaggerated hand gestures explaining how awesome it was.
5 star, yaaaaay!!
i love their cheesecake. it's delicious. i like how you can just cut the cake without a knife and instead with a fishing string. unique!
the best cheesecake ever. A friend from la came up and we drove up here for some cheesecake. I was amazed how small the bake shop was, but the most surprising part was "they only sold cheesecakes" not other stuff like most bakeries do. We bought a small cheesecake and after being taught how to cut the cake with fishing line, we couldnt wait to return home across the bay to eat our cake so we went to a nearby coffeeshop got some hot tea and dived right in... SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOD. how do i say this so that the reader reading this review just springs up from their chair and drive there for a slice of heaven? It just delicate, moist, and not too sweet, just perfect...
First off, I want to say that I am not a huge fan of cheesecake, except from what Cheesecake Factory has to offer me.
But in comes Zanze's. I will say right now, that i will be going to Zanze's this weekend because one of my friends from Vegas has heard us (me and another friend) rave about the cheesecake from this little tiny shop.
At first I thought it was a small cafe, but it's not. It's literally just a small shop, where seriously, only about 6 people can fit before you might have to go behind the counter. And it's a very quiet spot.
Being the only customers the first time I went to this place, the gentleman was really nice in helping us decide on what to do. He asked us if we've ever had the cheesecake before, and when we said no, he recommended that we go with the regular flavored cheesecake. This cheesecake is so delicate, and soft and literally melts in your mouth. It's so delicate that you have to cut it with fish wire to make the slices. It's fun to actually cut =)
Anyways, the second time I went back to this place was when it was packed with people. I also learned that they don't take credit cards during my second visit. So anyways, we tried the raspberry cheesecake and just as good as the regular flavor. =) Definitely a place I would go to just for cheesecake.
Only thing is I always get confused with the hours and times they are open. I have a business card from them, but I don't know where I put it. boo.
Try it. But don't take my word for this place =)
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I've had Mr. Zanze's cheesecake twice. Once, for my friend's birthday, and again for my sister's birthday. DELICIOUS!
It's creamy, and cheesy. The scent is so fragrant I couldn't help but smile all the way home, thinking about eating it. And the flavor lingers in your mouth! It's a small cake, but you're meant to enjoy every morsel.
I have had an eye on that shop for the last two years, failing at finding occasions appropriate for cheesecake. It's such a treat, it should be for a special occasion.
Mr.Zanze is super sweet, the adorable old man baker. He taught me how to cut the cake with his fishing line, we talked about his wife who use to be a teacher at CCSF. And I was going to be in a car for 2hrs with it, so he told me exactly how to store it and how long I had before things spoiled.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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Being a crazy fan of cheesecake, I've passed by here many times and saw this place closed =( Last week I finally saw the magical OPEN sign as we drove down Ocean. I bitched the shit out of the driver (who came here once with me before on a closed day) and he bust a U under somewhat dangerous circumstances =P I then peeked in and let myself inside, into this cute little shop with this cute old man who greeted me! I swear.. it was just one of those moments like the ones you see in movies or cartoons (the familiar old man with white/gray hair who is so warm, friendly and knows how to cook). Maybe the old man at the candy store, a fine restaurant or a bakery. You know what I mean? Now those were just my thoughts, but they were definitely reconfirmed when my company told me the same thing as we walked out, "he seems very cute huh?"
Anyway.. he asked if I had ever had any of their cheesecake before and I said no. He suggested the original and he showed us how to cut with the fishing line. He was very nice and conversational =)
The cheesecake was light and delicate as he mentioned. It was VERY light and not too sweet at all! I've never had anything like it and that's for sure. My company said that it was "good" as well and followed it with some "nods of approval" - something that he does NOT do often. I myself, am into the more heavier cheesecakes, but this was something unique. I finished half the cheesecake myself, within the same day =)
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As soon as I tasted the soft, creamy, melt in your mouth cheesecake from Zanze's, I quickly said - if Diddy made "Da Band" walk across town for Junior's cheesecakes, I'd make my band (if I had one) walk 7 x 7 to deliver some Zanze's right to my door. Their cheesecake is soooo good that I did not even feel guilty eating two slices after a grueling 1.5 hour workout. Yum!
I have yet to visit the shop and get the whole Zanze experience. My most awesome boyfriend brought home the yummy treat and raved about how cool Mr. Zanze is. One look at my boyfriend and Mr. Zanze's noob radar began to beep. Sensing that it was his first time, he gave my boyfriend the Zanze Cheesecake tutorial - what flavor to taste first, how to cut the cheesecake (their cheesecake is so delicate that each box comes with a piece of string to cut each slice), and he also dropped some knowledge on the shop's history.
Zanze's is a local treasure. It's the cheesecake equivalent of Mitchell's Ice Cream (probably would taste awesome together too, lol). Best cheesecake hands down!
Heard Zanze's going on a mini vacation....so get your fix before the end of this week because he's not coming back until August!
Recommendations:
Everything. =)
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I was greeted by the INFAMOUS Mr. Zanze. He asked me if I've ever had cheesecake from his store and shamefully I answered no. I think everyone should at least come here once in their life. Boyfriend haven't had Zanze's cheesecake for over 10 years and finally the original Zanze cheesecake and the love of my life meets again.
As we walked into the tiny shop I already saw my boyfriend's face brighten. I know he missed it. Why wouldn't he?? We got the small original cheesecake for $13.00. Expensive? Well you are paying a taste of heaven! Before I even tasted the cheesecake i know it was good from the smell of this shop and from the smell when I opened the cheesecake box. He even provides a little wire string for you to cut the cheesecake!
My first bite;;;;; wowww how soft and fluffy! I almost mistaken it as tofu. It was that light! Sorry Cheesecake Factory. THIS is it. THIS is what you call cheesecake.
Thank you Mr.Zanze for opening your store in the heart of San Francisco.
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Mr. and Mrs. Zanze are good people...so buy their cheesecake, dammit! a bit of trivia, his dad owned a restaurant somewhere on powell st. (errr, i think...) back in the day....that's where the cheesecake was unveiled. it's like a cheesecake you've never had before...so light, fluffy, creamy...forget the fishing line they give you to slice it up...grab some forks and go to town! hell yeah!
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what a san francisco gem...
i was in love with this place from the moment i walked in and saw the simple cheesecake display and was welcomed by mr. zanze's warm greeting. the traditional cheesecake was hands down the lightest most delicious cheesecake i've ever had in my life. if you live in san francisco and love cheesecake you just have to enjoy one of these. yum.
Talk about old school. You step inside here, and it's like a time warp. His quaint shop on Ocean Ave has probably never changed since he opened. The charming owner is the lone worker, and he's obviously been at it for years, or frankly, decades.
He walks you through slicing the cheesecake and what temperature to serve it, trust me, you don't get this kind of customer service anymore. The cheesecake itself was light and fluffy, not dense and heavy like I've known them to be. Speaking of which, let me get another slice now...
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My parents used to go to Zanze's about 30 years ago before Zanze's moved out of the city on Tuesdays when they would come to the city from San Jose. My mom is about 80 now and she always asks me to pick up a cheesecake there for her. Yummy. Very light and tasty. We're going to have some for their 50th wedding anniviersary party this next month.
Mr. Zanze is a wonderful man. It would be difficult saying otherwise about owners of local candy/sweets/ice cream shops. How can one selling something so delightful for a living be anything but wonderful and sweet? The puzzle pieces just would not fit. And it's obvious that he's not doing his job to pay the bills; he's loving what he is doing. I'd love to be in that position one day. For now, I have bills to pay.
Mr. Zanze makes these cheesecakes - light and fluffy. He will ask you if you've had his cheesecakes before. He will give instruction on how to cut the cake with a fishing line. He will also provide other tips for storage of this tasty treat. Picking up a cheesecake requires good timing. Hours during the week are short. They will go on vacation for weeks at a time. Call ahead of time if you can.
If you enjoy your cheesecakes, all that coordination is worth it. If it is your first time, I would suggest trying the original/plain flavor first. Save the other flavors for subsequent visits because you know there will be subsequent visits! For the days and weeks that Zanze's Cheesecake is closed or on vacation, Mr. Zanze will provide Molly Stone's Tower Market [http://www.yelp.com/bi...] with extra frozen cakes - how sweet is that?!
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i don't eat anything with cheese...but i absolutely love this cheesecake. that says it all.
So much for 4 days of vegan diet aspirations.
I buckled and bought a small cheesecake with sour cherries and kir cream. This is cheesecake like no other. The liquer flavor soaked cherries are wonderfully acidic and strong. The cheesecake itself is definitely not like New York style. It's super aerated and eggy in flavor. So, it's almost like a flan in taste, but fluffy like merengue in texture. In my defense, I didn't eat the whole thing. But, this was definitely not vegan.
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airy and light creamy round of magic.
the little man who wants you to know specifically how to cut his delicate cheesecake with fishing line is adorable. he truly loves sharing his cheesecake with others and i guess i would too if i could bring that kind of joy to people just by handing them dessert.
no frills about it kind of establishment. they just let the cheesecake do the work.
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I finally ended up here today after wanting to try their cheesecake for a long time. We were greeted by an older gentleman who gave us some good advice about what to try and how to cut it. We ended up buying a medium plain cheesecake. The cheesecake is really fluffy, almost mouse like. It also tastes like a mix between cheesecake and flan. It has a strong egg flavor and a really light cheesecake flavor. If it were up to me, I honestly wouldn't call it a cheesecake because it's completely different. If cheesecake is what you are craving, this isn't for you. Overall, it is pretty unique and it does taste good but it isn't the best. If I were to rate the cake itself, I would only give it 3 stars but I just had to give them an extra star for the friendly service.
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If you only like your cheesecake dense, rich and creamy then you'll probably enjoy Zanze's, but it may not be a place you'll frequent often. If, however, you can get into light and fluffy cheesecake then this is your place!
I've had the blueberry and pumpkin cheesecakes (within the same week!) and both were fantastic, although I like the blueberry better.
If you follow the Zanzes' directions and use the fishing line (included) to cut your cheesecake you'll lose almost none of it to the cutting process. A hidden benefit to not using a knife is avoiding those embarrassing moments you're caught licking the knife clean...between each slice...
I love the shop's laid back, minimalist feel, and the Zanzes have treated me well the few times I've been there...check it out!
If you still have any doubts about light and fluffy cheesecake, think about how much more of it you could eat (compared to dense, rich and creamy cheesecake) before getting full!
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I love Zanze's cheesecake so much, it's the best cheesecake I ever had! It's very light and tasty. I always buy another hole of cake to freeze and keep it for a couple of weeks. It lasts for 3 months in a freezer. I really like plain cheesecake but blueberry is also very good.
The people at the store is very nice as well, too.
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The best of the best of the best.
My cousin bought the pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving and it was absolutely perfect =9
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I go tanning a couple stores down the block and I always drive pass here so I wanted to give it a try after a tanning session one day. So I popped in and had a look. The place is quite small but the cheesecakes are delicious.. Everyone should try it. There's not a lot of flavors but which ever one you get, it will melt in your mouth after taking a bit. (I had the blueberry which was awesome.)
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I was taken here recently by someone formerly local to the neighbourhood. It was obvious at once that this was something special. The owners both knew my friend, even though he had not seen them in a while. Mrs. Zanze was behind the counter, and Mr. Zanze was in the back, baking. He could just be glimpsed through the window into the back, but you could feel the warmth from his smile. Their personal aura alone make it worth going back.
The cake is not just icing on the cake, but an expression on themselves. (Note to those who say the cake's too light: leave it in the fridge for 4-5 days, and it will slowly descend into the realms that merely mortal cheesecakes inhabit.)
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I had the pumpkin cheesecake. In short order:
- Excitement: palpable -- *everyone* talks about this place!
- Service: personable -- thanks, Mrs. Zanze!
- Texture: exquisitely moussey
- Flavor: delicious, with just a hint of pumpkin flavor (too little?)
- Crust: non-existent -- boo!
Solid, solid 4 stars, not quite the taste extravaganza I was prepared for...
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not much i can contribute to this. i concur with all the positive accessments:
owner is the nicest dude you'll ever meet
cheesecake is the best that you'll ever eat
This is my favorite dessert of all time. If you like cheesecake but have not had a Zanze cheesecake, you have not had a cheesecake. The flavor is so delicate and the cheesecake is so light that a knife won't work, you have to cut it with fishing line. It is like eating a piece of air with a light cheesecake flavor. A cheesecake factory cheesecake does not even come close to a Zanze cheesecake. The trip to San Francisco is worth it, you will not find another cheesecake that compares.
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